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Queen’s Croft Sixth Formers Run Community Business Students from Queen’s Croft High Schools have partnered with a local business to run a new community café for our city. The students from Queen’s Croft High School will take part in the initiative at 55 Wade Street from 10am to 11am on Mondays from 19th October. The Queen’s Courthouse Community Cafe will offer hot and cold drinks along with snacks as part of the school’s work experience programme. Staff from 55 Wade Street will work alongside the students to help them with the not-for-profit initiative. Sam Wood, Co-Headteacher at Queen’s Croft High School, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be launching this partnership with Bar 55. It gives our Year 14 students a genuine workplace environment in which to build the skills, confidence and independence they’ll need for life after Queen’s Croft, and at the same time it lets us give something back to the Lichfield community we’re so much a part of.” [...]

Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in Our Local Community Looking back, the Lichfield Community Safety Partnership’s Community Safety Delivery Plan and Community Safety Strategy (2022-2025) identified six key priorities: * Domestic abuse * Violence against women and girls (VAWG) * Anti-social behaviour * County lines * Serious violence * Crime prevention These were areas where partners committed resources to reduce incidents, reduce harm and support vulnerable residents. Domestic Abuse The Community Safety Delivery Plan recognised domestic abuse as one of the highest-risk issues facing local communities and one of the largest demands on partner agencies. The district’s approach focuses on: * Supporting victims and survivors. * Early identification of abuse. * Multi-agency working between council services, police, health organisations and specialist support providers. * Reducing harm and protecting vulnerable adults and children. * Increasing awareness and access to support services. Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) The Delivery Plan stated that the partnership recognised the need for a “clear and unequivocal Lichfield response” to violence against women and girls and committed to developing and strengthening its response. The council subsequently adopted a stronger public position on VAWG, including commitments to: * Work with survivors and local support organisations. * Develop local strategies and action plans. * Work with police, education providers, housing services, health services and community organisations. * Appoint a VAWG champion. * Obtain White Ribbon Accreditation and promote cultural change around violence towards women and girls. The council’s VAWG commitments specifically referenced working with education partners to meet the needs of survivors and help challenge attitudes that contribute to violence against women and girls. Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, said: “The plan undertook a great deal of work on these topics and it very much flagged that the issues of domestic / gender-based violence remain very much alive in our local community. Schools play a significant part in helping children growing into adults who recognise the scourge that is such violence, and to support those children and families afflicted by this problem. Thought the Lichfield District Council Plan has now been completed, our Trust and schools retain a sharp focus on these issues and our work continues.” [...]

The Pathway Project The Pathway Project is a Staffordshire-based charity that provides specialist support for adults, young people and children affected by domestic and sexual abuse. Based in Lichfield and Tamworth, the organisation offers a wide range of services including a 24-hour helpline, refuge accommodation, outreach support, counselling, children’s services, and specialist advocacy for victims. The charity’s mission is to help victims become survivors by providing practical assistance, emotional support, and opportunities to rebuild their lives free from abuse. Founded more than 25 years ago by Kathy Coe MBE, a survivor of domestic abuse herself, the organisation was created to address the lack of specialist support available within Staffordshire. Over the years, Pathway Project has helped more than 25,000 people and continues to support thousands of individuals each year through its dedicated services. The charity receives thousands of helpline calls annually and operates two refuges in confidential locations, providing safety and support for those escaping abusive situations. Its specialist teams work closely with individuals and families to improve safety, access housing and legal support, and recover from the impact of abuse and trauma. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse, helping them to develop resilience and achieve positive outcomes. The organisation’s vision is that everyone has the right to live safely and free from abuse and for many people across Staffordshire, Pathway Project provides a vital lifeline, helping individuals move from crisis and fear towards safety, recovery, and a brighter future. Anyone seeking advice or support can contact the charity’s 24-hour confidential helpline on 01543 676800. Email support is available via talktoeve@pathway-project.co.uk, and further information about services can be obtained from the Hope Centre in Lichfield. For more information about The Pathway Project visit: Home – Pathway Project [...]

Victim Support – Charity Support for Domestic Violence Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic events across England and Wales. The organisation provides free, confidential support to victims, witnesses, and anyone impacted by criminal activity, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police. Trained staff and volunteers offer emotional support, practical advice, and information to help people cope and recover. Support is tailored to individual needs and can include assistance with personal safety, navigating the criminal justice system, and accessing other specialist services. Victim Support recognises that the effects of crime can be long-lasting and that everyone responds differently to their experiences. The charity works to ensure that those affected feel listened to, understood, and empowered to move forward. Services are available to people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Anyone seeking help or further information can contact Victim Support directly through its national support services and local teams. Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic events in England and Wales. Their telephone number is 08081689111 or you can live chat via victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat. All support is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, said: “It can be tremendously difficult to stand up to domestic abuse but there is support out there and Victim Support are one of many options that can help. Everyone has a right to be safe and happy and there are routes to achieve just this which can be started by a single communication. We would encourage any victims to be brave and reach out.” For more information about Victim Support click here. [...]

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month takes place every October across the UK and serves as an opportunity raise awareness about domestic violence, share information and support victims and survivors. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), millions of people across the UK are experiencing domestic abuse in one form or another. Certainly, domestic abuse can have a significant impact on children, even when they are not the direct victim. Indeed, our schools work with too many children who are suffering from violence and/or abuse in the home, and we see how this detrimentally impacts on their education, relationships and well-being. Consequently, our Trust is providing an important opportunity for our schools to raise awareness of domestic abuse, promote healthy relationships, and signpost support available to children, young people, and their families. Our Safeguarding Lead Professional has provided a support letter for all families outlining support, guidance and contacts to those afflicted either directly or indirectly by this problem. The letter can be accessed here. Toph Briggs, Primitas Safeguarding Lead Professional, said: “Our Trust-wide focus on Domestic Violence Awareness Month is important because we know it is an issue that seriously affects our schools’ communities. Our schools play an important role in supporting families and we would urge anyone affected by domestic abuse to read the guidance we have provided and/or talk to or schools about where they can access support. Everyone deserves to be safe in their home, and as a Trust we stand by our duty to support with this.” [...]

Primitas & BPN Partnership Breed Success Primitas continue to work with Best Practice Network (BPN) to deliver high-quality training to school staff from across our region. BPN is one of the UK’s largest education and training providers. It works with schools, academy trusts, early years settings and the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver teacher training, leadership development and apprenticeship. Our Trust provided CPD trainers and a venue to deliver programmes in senior leadership and specialist provision and both courses saw a better pass rate than national averages; with the former reaching a 96.4%, and the latter a 94.4%, pass rate. Matt Allman, Chief Education Officer, said: “We are delighted to work successfully with Best Practice Network and enjoy delivering their high-quality programmes which develop staff in schools across the Midlands. The programmes also develop our own staff – both in daily practice and wider leadership – and we look forward to further programmes in the pipeline in this partnership.” [...]

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - 'Give us lessons on personal finance and how to get a job,' teens say...
Delighted to say our schools have fantastic awards and ratings on careers provision... Such an important part of education...

'Give us lessons on personal finance and how to get a job,' teens say

Teenagers say they want more work experience at school and opportunities to improve their communication skills.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Ofcom outlines age verification for under-16s ahead of social media ban...
Some more clarity on how these changes might work...

Ofcom outlines age verification for under-16s ahead of social media ban

Ofcom says photo and digital ID, banking checks or facial age estimation can help prove someone is 16 or over.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Cut screen time in classrooms to avoid long-term health issues, government urged...
Totally obvious...
Lower speech / language skills on arrival in primaries... Vital to put down screens and engage children in 1-to-1 conversations...

Cut screen time in classrooms to avoid long-term health issues, clinicians urge

A group of clinicians warns technology use in English schools is driving a rise in health problems like short-sightedness.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Ofsted faces fresh calls to halt graded school inspections in England...
Difficult to see how the right balance will ever be struck for everyone...

Ofsted faces fresh calls to halt graded school inspections in England

A second head teachers' union says it is "increasingly concerned" about members' "welfare and morale".

www.bbc.com

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Lichfield Live - Government approves plans to improve SEND provision across Staffordshire...
Good news on extra funding but reform is needed somewhere as the evidence is that demand will just keep growing...

Government approves plans to improve SEND provision across Staffordshire

Agreement will unlock £85million of funding to help clear debt – but authority expects further overspend in current year.

lichfieldlive.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - Plan 2: Three friends on a decade of student loans...
Interesting case studies on how student loans pan out over the repaying years... Worth a read for anyone who has / will have a child at university...

Plan 2: Three friends on a decade of student loans

Lizzy, Charlotte and Libby studied at the same time, but their student debt now looks very different.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Students from Queen’s Croft High Schools have partnered with a local business to run a new community café for our city.
The students from Queen's Croft High School will take part in the initiative at 55 Wade Street...
https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/queens-croft-sixth-formers-run-community-business

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Looking back, the Lichfield Community Safety Partnership's Community Safety Delivery Plan and Community Safety Strategy (2022-2025) identified six key priorities...
https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/domestic-and-gender-based-violence-in-our-local-community

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Following our recent communication regarding Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, we would like to take this opportunity to remind families that our school is part of Operation Encompass, a national safeguarding initiative...
https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/operation-encompass

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

The Pathway Project is a Staffordshire-based charity that provides specialist support for adults, young people and children affected by domestic and sexual abuse.
Based in Lichfield and Tamworth, the organisation...
https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/the-pathway-project

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic events across England and Wales.
The organisation provides free, confidential support to victims, witnesses, and...
https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/victim-support-charity-support-for-domestic-violence

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Domestic Violence Awareness Month takes place every October across the UK and serves as an opportunity raise awareness about domestic violence, share information and support victims and survivors... https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/domestic-violence-awareness-month

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

Primitas continue to work with Best Practice Network (BPN) to deliver high-quality training to school staff from across our region.
BPN is one of the UK's largest education and training providers... https://www.primitas.co.uk/2026/10/08/primitas-bpn-partnership-breed-success

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

BBC News - New vocational GCSE subjects to be introduced in schools...
As a Trust we hugely value vocational courses - and we do a great job with them - but another round of news courses begins again...

New vocational GCSE subjects to be introduced in schools

New GCSE subjects could include child development and building and construction as vocational courses are being introduced.

www.bbc.co.uk

; Primitas Learning Partnership @PrimitasLP

The Guardian - Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares...
One that needs sorting - as schools have to pay to lock up phones and discourage use - children can't get home without one...

Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares

Despite guidance keeping mobile phones out of England’s schools, cheaper travel may only be available via an app

www.theguardian.com